Memory type control system for mail sorting machine



May 16, 1967 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL 3,320,593

SORTN MACHNE MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOK MAIL 16 Sheets-Shen l Filed March V, 1964 May 16, 1967 MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MAH.; SORTING MACHINE Filed March (l, 1964 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL 16 Sheets-Sheet i;

Inventors Robert I2. Hedrick Harold S. Montqomerg Curtis H. Qchmorld Bq 7.. a. dus.;

Attornenj May 16, 1967 R R, HEDRgCK ET AL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MATL SOHTING MACHINE Filed March u, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet JKLMNOPQIZ WWWWHUV AAA May 16, 1967 R, R. HEDR|CK ET AL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MAIL SOHTINU MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet z Filed March l', 1964 n m u m n m a 3 .4.. U W m.. w U w 5 s., 5 u m m m u m .u C C c U H 5 6 cwMHP/.nSPS {Mhwwl 6 I W I nnmmmmna main P FFBFBF WBM E 00000000 0 0 W.; T T T T T T a I i/1:; 7 8 9 3l .K A. A 7.. E L C a M m Q- I H al o 4 1 I. r.- r 2 I 0 N 3 W 4 I a m RRZ READ WRITE AMPLIFIER May 16, 1967 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MAL SORTNCI MACHINE Filed March La, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 Umm 413|? INARY conso 6 oscnvm vocx comi Il.-

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MEMORY TYPE CNTROJ SYSTEN FR MAVHT 'KLJH''N MACHNL Filed March u, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet an' a cuzcun i Amm H l nT 5 NT4 SECOND LETTER Rw?.

FOURTH LETTER RW May 16, 1967 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MAIL .HUNTING MACHINE Filed March u, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 HUNDREDS DIGIT RW TE S DIGIT RW? U ITS DIGIT RWS COMMON m I AAA May 16, 1967 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CNTRL SYSTEM FOR MAUP .RTING MACHNE Filed March u, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet CLOCK PULSE COUNTER CPC PC2 PCS May 16, 1967 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CONTHL SYSTEM FOR MAN SUH''ING MACHINE Filed March C, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet 10 N30 Aw sm o p. Lm n CRL $021' LoAn Moos 75 MODE N22 Inventors Roert l2. Hedrick 5%. 4 a Harold $.Montqomerg Curtis H. Richmond Bg 7K. J3-5 Atternexj May 16, 1967 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MA'L SORTNG MACHINE Filed March u, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet l1 CARD COUNTER CC May 16, 1967 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MAIL SORTTNG MACHINE Filed March 5, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet 11i TO CARD ils M0 NU CRS To Crau "0 POWER R ELAY Inventors Robert l2. Hedrick Harold S.Montqomerg Curtis H. Qichmond Bij #4, 4. M

Attorneg May 15. 1967 R` R. HEDRICK ETAL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTFM FOR MAN SORTING MACHINE Filed March u, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet 115 DC' Fnzs Larrea o om :lauren umf CONSOLE A KC I COMMON XC KBS! al. SEcoNU Lamm esaurire um TO QWZ.

Trmzo LETrsR IZEGHTEQ UNIT TO RW3 May 16, 1967 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL MEMORY TYPE CONTROIJ SYSTEM FOI( MAIL 'IORTNG MACHINE Filed March Il, 1964 FOURTH LETTER REGISTER UNIT FIFTH LETTER REGISTER UNIT /CSG

16 Sheets-Sheet 14 I ICONSOL s E CLU L a FEED TABLE MOTOR f, PHOTCELL 0NTIZOL F02 CONWLE CONSQL! CN GLE C UNITS May 16, 1967 R. R. HEDRICK ET AL 3,320,593

MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MAIL SORTING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet l5 CLEAR FllM STEPPER 'I0 INPUT -IOV AND nap T (r I 9,5 T' "wur V U" SET CLQ U" s 1 i u I I I AVA'AVA' L vnvvv I ,JY n'n'A'A' Avlvlvl vlvl c D j o. I nu 'VVV D O www l 4 'IVY TO STE PPER T0 NEXT COUNTER MACHINE May 16, 1967 MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MAIL HORTTN() R. R. HEDRICK ET AL Filed March La, 1964 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 DEGREES oF nounou :zo a alo Zlw 70 Joa 33o 36o CCNSG E D CIONSOt E CI FLIP FLOP United States Patent O 3,320,593 MEMORY TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MAIL SORTING MACHINE Robert R. Hedrick, Milwaukee, and Harold S. Montgomery, Wauwatosa, Wis., and Curtis H. Richmond, Plainview, N.Y., assignors to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Mil- Waukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 6, 1964. Ser. No. 349,946 26 Claims. (Cl. S40-172.5)

This invention relates to memory type control systems and more particularly to high speed systems ot digital, logic circuit type for translating, storing and retrieving control information or data.

While not limited thereto, the invention is especially applicable to sorting machines such as mail sorting machines for controlling automatic or semi-automatic sorting of mail or for controlling automatic programmed sorting or distribution of mail to predetermined destinations.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved memory type control system.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved sorting system for high Vspeed retrieval of stored data in response to operator controlled input codes wherein the input codes are read by the operator from articles being sorted and need not be memorized by the operator.

Another specic object of the invention is to provide an improved sorting system for high speed retrieval of stored codes in response to machine controlled input codes wherein the input codes are read automatically by a machine from articles being sorted.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide such sorting system with improved means for storing the data to be retrieved whereby such data can readily be removed and different data stored.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide such sorting system with means for controlling automatic programmed operation thereof in accordance with predetermined data automatically fed thereinto from record media or the like.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide an improved control system for a mail sorter which is common to a plurality of manual sorting operator stations and produces article destination codes in sequence in response to input codes read from the articles being sorted and fed thereinto by the respective operators.

Another object of the invention is to provide an irnproved control system as aforesaid which is of a high speed, digital logic circuit type.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

According to the invention, there is provided a digital, logic circuit system for controlling a mail sorting ma chine. The system is provided with a card reader for reading plural-letter name codes and plural-digit pocket codes from punched cards. Each name code comprises the rst few letters of the addressees name and each pocket code comprises the digits of the number of the destination pocket in the sorting machine. A logic circuit system is provided for translating the space codes read from the card into binary name codes and binary coded decimal pocket codes and for recording these codes on a high speed magnetic drum. A plurality of consoles are provided for feeding mail one at a time into the sorting machine. Each console is provided with a keyboard whereby an operator keys in the name code read from the piece of mail passing thereby into the sorting machine and momentarily stopping in front of the operator and is provided with a register for storing the keyed-in name code. Common logic circuit means 3,320,593 Patented May 16, 1967 is provided for serving the operators consoles in repetitive sequence. Each console controls the common means in turn to search the drum for the name code corresonding to its registered name code and for extracting the corresponding pocket code from the drum to control the setting of escort code wheels in the sorting machine which travel with the piece of mail. When the set code wheels reach a like coded pocket, the mail is delivered into the latter. The system is .also provided with means for programmed sorting of mail under the control of the card reader without use of the magnetic drum. In this mode of operation `the card reader is triggered to read the pocket code from a card as each piece of mail enters the sorting machine. Logic circuit means is provided for setting the escort code wheels directly and for avoiding interference from the codes which remain recorded on the drum.

while manual keyboards are shown for inserting name codes in the system, the invention contemplates automatic means in place thereof such as machine or optical reading of the name or address data from the mail and automatic insertion of the read name codes into the system.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will best be understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where- III.'

FIGURE 1 is a top view partly in section schematically illustrating a sorting machine and three operator consoles to which the invention is applied;

FIG. la is an enlarged top view of one console;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front elevation view of the sorting machine of FIG. 1 with its mid-portion and the operator consoles removed;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view schematically illustrating the mail inserter of the sorting machine of FIGS. l and 2;

FIGS. 4a to 4k and 4m show a system for controlling the sorting machine of FIGS. l and 2 constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGS 5 to 14 are circuit diagrams showing details of the component circuits shown symbolically or in block form in the system of FIGS. 4a to 4k and 4m;

FIG. l5 is a cam layout development illustrating operating characteristics of the cam switches of the system of FIGS. 4a to 4k and 4m; and

FIG. l6 is a diagram showing how FIGS. 4a to 4k and 4m are to be assembled to show the system.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown schematically a sorting machine 14 provided with a plurality of consoles A, B and C. Each console is controlled by an operator to supply articles into the sorting machine and the latter sorts these articles into a multiplicity of destination receptacles or pockets. While three consoles have been shown for purposes of description, it will be understood that the sorting machine may be provided with more or less consoles or in a sorting machine having a plurality of consoles, any one or more of the consoles may be placed into use while the remainder thereof are inactive.

As shown in FIGS. l and 2, the sorting machine is preferably of the unitized form having a plurality of units or sections 14a, 14h, 14C to 14n and a pair of end sections 14x and 14)'. Sections 14a to 14n are connected end-to-end in series to form an elongated conveyor. Sections Mx and 14)l at opposite ends of such series support the driving mechanisms for the plurality of stacked, horizontally moving portions of the convoluted conveyor 15 shown in FIG. 2. Conveyor 15 is an endless chain provided with a plurality of convolutions arranged horizontally in stacked relation so that portions of the conveyor travel over six horizontal rows of bins or pockets into which articles are dropped from the moving conveyor. The lower row at its left-hand end beyond the consoles is preferably provided with large bins 16 for miscellaneous articles or for articles such as mail which is received in large quantities. The second row at its left-hand end beyond the coding apparatus and the remaining rows are provided with equal width pockets 17 for receiving mail as it is sorted.

Reference may be had to J. Rabinow et al. Patents No. 3,080,072, dated Mar. 5, 1963, and No. 2.901,089, dated Aug. 25, 1959, for mechanical details of a Sorting machine, such as gates for the bins and pockets, a conveyor and coding apparatus whereby the gates are operated. The sorting machine will be hereinafter described in general terms suflicient for an understanding of the invention. A gate is provided on top of each bin and pocket which may be pivoted upwardly under the control of coding apparatus so that an article being pushed along by the conveyor falls therethrough into the pocket. These gates when closed form a surface along which the articles are s slid by pushers forming part of the conveyor.

A short piece of conveyor 15 is shown at the mid-portion of FIG. 1. This conveyor comprises three chains 15a, 15b and 15C driven in unison. A plurality of combs or sinusoidal-shaped wires or rods 15d are secured in spaced apart relation across chains 15a and 15b to form article receiving spaces therebetween and into which articles are inserted. These wavy wires push the articles along as the conveyor runs. A row of code wheels 15e is connected between chains 15b and 15e for each such article receiving space. These code wheels are axially slidable or adjustable along their supporting shafts between zero positions and binary coded decimal positions under control of code Setters and a resetter hereinafter described. Directly below these rows of code wheels, each pocket is provided with a plurality of code bars delining coded surfaces for the respective pockets. Thus, when a row of code wheels that has been set to a code reaches a matching set of code bars, actuation takes place to open the corresponding gate whereby the pusher comb of the conveyor propels the article or letter into the corresponding pocket.

Each horizontal portion of the conveyor is provided with spaced strips extending therealong above conveyor rods 15d to confine the letters to their path of travel, these strips partially extending into the troughs in the con voluted rods 15d. Also, the conveyor turns or reversals at the end sections 14x and 14)l are provided with upper and lower sets of strips to guide passage of the letters from one row to the next as shown in the aforementioned Patent No. 3,080,072.

As shown in FIG. l, the sorting machine is provided with a plurality of code Setters 18, 19 and 20, one for each console, for setting the row of code wheels at the same time as a letter is inserted into the corresponding space in the conveyor. These code setters are electricallycontrolled mechanically-operated devices and are described in J. Rabinow et al. Patent No. 3,080,985 dated Mar. 12, 1963, except that only one row, rather than three, of setting arms is used. Each code setter is provided with a set of solenoids equal in number to the number of code wheels in a row 15e thereof whereby a code is inserted into the code setter, these solenoids being shown in FIG. 4m and described more fully hereinafter in connection with description of the control system. Stich energization of selected solenoids presets the code setter for operation. The code setter is driven in synchronism with the conveyor and by cam action or the like shifts selected code wheels on the supporting rod to register the code.

A resetter 21 is mounted ahead of the consoles as shown in FlG. 1 to clear the codes, that is, to reset the code wheels in each row back to their normal or zero positions. This resetter may be similar to the code Setters except that it is mechanical and solenoids are not required therein.

Also, it is provided with a row of resetting arms arranged so that they enter on the opposite sides oi the code wheels from the side on which the setting arms enter. In addition, the cams are arranged to move the resetting arms in the opposite direction from the setting direction to restore the code wheels to their zero position. The resetter is mechanically coupled to rotate in synchronism with the conveyor travel by being driven from the conveyor chain or the like. Whereas, each code setter is provided with only one row of setting arms so that it can set the code wheels of only each third row thereof for one revolution of the code setter, the resetter is provided with three rows of resetting arms 120 degrees apart to afford resetting of cach row of code wheels passing thereunder. Since the specific details of the resetter above described are not essential to the invention herein and any suitable resetter capable of restoring the code wheels may be used, the details thereof have not been illustrated.

As shown in FIG. l, three consoles A, B and C are provided for feeding letters into the sorting machine. Console A will be described since the other two consoles are similar thereto. Console A shown in FIG. la is provided with a keyboard A1 for manipulation by the operator to introduce name codes into the sorting system. Since keyboards of this type are well known, a general description will be given to facilitate understanding of the invention. The keyboard is provided with a plurality of keys including 26 keys for the letters of the alphabet and a 27th reject key. The reject key may be used to cancel the name code registration in the event an error has been made. Since a ve-bit binary code used for name codes in this system has a capacity of 32 codes, rive additional numerical keys 1-5 may be provided on the keyboard to afford additional or special codes.

Console A is provided with a stack feed conveyor A2 for maintaining an inclined stack of letters L at a position where they can be picked up. For this purpose, the letter conveyor is provided with a loose block A3 having an inclined forward face on which the trailing end of the stack rests to maintain the letters at the proper angle as shown in FIG. la. The letter conveyor may be intermittently run under the control of a photo-electric beam or the like to maintain the forward end of the stack within reach of a vacuum arm A4. The vacuum arm is driven from the conveyor so that it oscillates between a pick-up position as shown in FIG. 1 wherein it sucks one letter to its ilared end and a drop position over a letter trough A5 to which it carries the letter. The letters are placed upside down in the stack so that when the vacuum arm turns them over, they will appear in correct position on the letter trough for reading the name and address. A bracket A6 is mounted on top of the console for prying one end of the letter from the vacuum arm as it reaches one end of oscillation to facilitate release of the letter when the vacuum is released to let it drop on the inclined surface of the letter trough.

Letter trough A5 comprises a surface inclined away from the operator and having a narrow slot therealong. A letter drive mechanism comprising a pair of pins A7 extending through this slot is provided for pushing the letter along the letter trough. Each pin is driven by its own driving chain from the conveyor through sprockets and bevel gears or the like and the two are cycled so that the letter stops for a brief time in front of the operators keyboard for reading. The rst pusher pin A7 drives the letter in front of the operator. At this point, the letter trough may be provided with a small vacuum hole in the inclined surface positively to stop the letter in front of the operator. The second pusher pin then comes up behind the letter and drives it into the sorting machine.

When the letter stops at the keyboard, the operator reads the name thereon. Then as the letter is moved into the sorting machine, the operator presses the proper keys to register a tive letter name code, as hereinafter more fully described. While a five letter name code has been disclosed herein, it will be apparent that other codes are possible such as less or more than five letters or special number-letter codes or the like for different departments of a company.

The letter drive mechanism moves the letter past a detector 22 of the photo-electric type or the like into a letter inserler 23 mounted within the sorting machine. This detector may bc of the scanner-counter type or the like and may serve not only to scan the letter to detect its passage into the sorting machine but may also count the number of letters that are sorted by this operator. This photo-electric detector is shown in FIG. 4m.

The letter drive mechanism is driven by the sorting machine in synchronism therewith so that a letter is fed into each third space in the conveyor. Preferably, the letter drive mechanism is driven from the same shaft that drives a cam switch CS hereinafter described. A clutch which is manually controllable from a lever under the console is provided for engaging the letter drive mechanism and cam switch to the conveyor.

As shown in FIG. l, inserter 23 receives the letter from the letter trough. Inserter 23 comprises a plurality of forwardly inclined strips 23a onto which the letter comes to rest after passing photo-electric device 22. A rake 23!) which is driven by the conveyor in synchronsm therewith then sweeps the letter from strips 23a into a space in the sorting machine conveyor at the same time as the associated code wheels are set as hereinafter described. The inserter preferably comprises two endless chains 23C shown in FIG. 3 across which two rakes 23h are secured 1S() degrees apart. These chains are driven by a sprocket or the like from the conveyor chain. The drive is synchronized with the conveyor so that one rake will sweep a letter olf strips 23a into every third space in the conveyor. The other two spaces are used by consoles B and C. respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 4a to 4k and 4m, there is shown a memory and control system of the logic circuit type operable from one or more console keyboards or from a card reader for controlling the sorter of FIG. 1 to cause sorting of letters into desired pockets. This memory system is of the computer type in that it provides pocket codes for setting the code mechanisms of the sorter in response to insertion of name codes thereinto from keyboards.

This system is provided with apparatus affording three modes of operation which may be called the load mode, the sort mode and the list mode. The load mode of operation comprises the operation of `a card reader to read name codes and pocket codes from punched cards and to register these codes on a memory device such as a magnetic drum or the like. The sort mode of operation comprises the operation of one or more console keyboards to insert name codes into the system, to compare these inserted name codes with the registered name codes in the memory device and when a coincidence is found, to extract the associated pocket code for control of the sorting machine. The list mode of operation com prises the operation of the same card reader used in the load mode of operation for reading the name codes and the pocket codes from punched cards, to suppress the name codes since the memory device is not required in this mode of operation, and to utilize the pocket codes directly to control the sorter.

In other words, in the load mode the memory device of the system is loaded with information in the nature of name codes and pocket codes such as is required in the sort mode of operation. In the sort mode, letters are sorted by manipulation of keyboards, utilizing the information put into the system under `the load mode. And in the list mode, letters are sorted directly by reading punched cards and controlling the sorter in accordance therewith without utilizing the information registered in the system under load mode. As will be apparent, incoming mail may be sorted to a multiplicity of recipients under sort mode after the system has been prepared under load mode. On the other hand, copies of a like document may be distributed to all or some of the sorter pockets under list mode depending upon which punched cards are put into the card reader. Since the load mode of operation is controlled by a card reader, it will be apparent that the information on the magnetic drum may be readily changed as when a sorting pocket is assigned tO a new individual. This is done by erasing the drum, substituting a new punched card into the card deck and reoperating the system in the load mode.

The circuits and apparatus shown in FIGS. 4a to 4k and 4m will rst be described in general terms giving the purpose of the various logic modules and devices and will then be described in more detail in connection with description of operation of the system.

Referring to FIGS. 4a to 4k and 4m, there is shown a. memory and control system for the sorting machine ot FIG. l. This system comprises means for registering name and pocket codes in -the system. This means cornprises a punched card reader CR shown schematically in FIG. 4a. Since card readers of this type are known, the details thereof have not been shown to avoid complicating the drawing. The phototransistors of the card reader, which are activated when the holes in the card being read pass in front of the associated light sources, supply reading sign-.ils from their emitters to twelve output conductors numbered 1 through 9, 0, 11 and 12. Another photo-transistor, which is exposed to light through an aperture in the card pusher arm in the reader when the pusher arm starts moving and before the first column of holes is read, supplies a signal to output conductor 24 just before each card is read for `the purpose of clearing and resetting certain apparatus hereinafter described. The aforementioned reader output signals are in the nature of negative pulses and vary from plus 9 to minus ll) volts. The card reader also supplies a blanking pulse to conductor 25 to delay operation of the card reader clutch and feeding of another card until the preceding card has passed through the reading head as hereinafter more fully described.

The twelve code signal carrying conductors marked 12, 1I and 0 through 9 are connected through a set of twelve current amplifiers to input terminals of a diode-type translator 26. The twelve current amplifiers at the input side of the translator can be AND units AUI through AUIZ of the logic typ: like that shown in detail in FIG. 5 and wherein only one input terminal is connected and the other input terminal and the common input terminal are left disconnected. The input terminals of these current amplifiers AUl-AUlZ are connecte-d through appropriate resistors Rl-RIZ of i001( ohms or the like to a source of plus l0 volts as shown in FIG` 4a.

The numeral 5 within the symbol of circuit AUI indicates the figure of the drawing wherein this circuit is shown in detail. In a similar manner, the numerals within the other symbols in FIGS. 4a to 4k and 4m indicate the figures of the detail circuits.

Conductor 24 which carries the clear and reset signal from the card reader is also connected to a similar AND unit AU13. The input terminal of unit AU13 which is connected to conducto-r 24 is also connected through a similar resistor R13 to the plus l0 volt source.

Conductor 25 carries the aforementioned blanking pulse from the card reader to logic circuits in FIG. 4j to perform a delay control function in the card reader clutch control circuit during the reading of each card as hereinafter more fully described.

Translator 26 in FIG. 4a, operating in conjunction with the card reader, is provided with means for translating space codes appearing on the punched cards into numerical codes which are better adapted for utilization by the logic circuit system hereinafter described. The cards that are read by the card reader are preferably of the SO-colurnn, 12row type punched in standard Hollerith code. Although these cards have a total of 80 columns, only the first eight columns need be considered for the purposes of this invention. A five letter name code is punched in the rst ifive columns and a three digit numerical pocket code is punched in the next three columns. These name and pocket codes utilize only eight columns in the twelve rows on the cards. The remaining columns 9 through 8O may be used for other purposes not material to this invention.

The aforementioned standard space code appearing on the cards consists of two punched holes per column for each letter of the name code in the rst ve columns and one punched hole per column for each numerical digit of the pocket code in the next three columns. Any letter of the alphabet may be punched in any one of the irst five columns by punching two holes at the appropriate rows therein. Also, any numerical digit from 0 through 9 may be punched in any one of the next three columns by punching one hole at the appropriate row 0-9 therein.

The twelve conductors marked 12, 11 and 0 through 9 leaving the card reader and being connected through arnpliers to the left side of translator 26 correspond to the twelve rows on the punched cards. The first eight columns on each punched card activate selected groups of these twelve conductors in repetitive sequence as the card is read.

Translator 26 has a multipie AND logic circuit at the upper portion of FIG. 4a for inserting name codes thereinto from the card reader. One such AND circuit is provided for each letter of the alphabet. The translator also has a Erst multiple OR logic circuit at the lower portion of FIG. 4a for translating the name codes into binary codes. One such OR circuit is provided for each bit of the binary number. The translator further is provided with another multiple OR logic -circuit at the upper left-hand portion of FIG. 4c for translating decimal pocket numbers into binary coded decimal pocket codes. One such OR circuit is provided for each bit of the binary coded decimal number.

The nature of the space codes on the punched cards required to activate these twelve input conductors of the translator will be readily apparent from an inspection of the translator in FIGS. 4a and 4c. This translator comprises 26 columns of diodes connected to 26 vertical conductors indicative of the letters A-Z of the alphabet as shown at the top of the translator. Input conductor 12 is common to letters A-I, input conductor 11 is common to letters J-R and input conductor O is common to letters S-Z. To this end, input conductor 12 is connected through nine diodes to the first nine vertical conductors, respectively. Input conductor 11 is similarly connected through nine diodes to the next nine vertical conductors. And input conductor 0 is similarly connected through eight diodes to the last eight vertical conductors. Input conductors 1-9 are connected by respective diodes to the rst nine vertical conductors and are connected by respective diodes to the next nine vertical conductors and input conductors 2-9 are connected through respective diodes to the last eight vertical conductors. The aforementioned diodes are arranged in their forward, low inipedance direction to connect the twelve input conductors to the vertical conductor of the translator.

The 26 vertical conductors of the translator are connected through respective resistors R14 to a source of negative voltage such as minus 10 volts or the like.

1t will be apparent that the portion of the translator hereinbetore described has 26 AND circuits, each consisting of a pair of input conductors connected through a pair of diodes to a vertical conductor. In these AND circuits, a negative voltage must be applied to both inputs before a negative voltage output is obtained.

The translator is provided with a first set of output conductors B1 through B5 shown in PIG. 4C for providing a S-bit binary code in response to each letter, input code. For this purpose, output conductors B1-B5 are connected through diodes in their forward, low impedance direction in `binary code fashion to the 26 vertical conductors A-Z so that the 26 input codes indicative of letters A-Z of thc alphabet provide binary output codes 1GO-00(1) through 0l0il(26), respectively. To this end, output conductor B1 is connected through respective diodes to alternate vertical conducto-rs A, C, E, G, I, K, M, O. O, S, U, W and Y. Output conductor B2 is connccted through respective diodes to alternate pairs of vertical conductors B and C, F and G, I and K, N and O, R and S, V and W and Z. Output conductor B3 is connected through respective diodes to alternate sets of four vertical conductors D, E, F, G and L, M, N, O and T, U, V, W. Output conductor B4 is connected through respective diodes to vertical conductors H through O and X, Y and Z. And the last output conductor B5 is connected through respective diodes to vertical conductors P through Z. These connections provide a multiple OR logic circuit wherein an output conductor may be energized from different sets of input conductors through one or more vertical conductors.

The name code output portion of the translator hereinbefore described comprises a multiple OR logic circuit for connecting the 26 vertical conductors to tive output conductors B1-B5- There are a total of five OR circuits, each consisting of a plurality of vertical conductors connected through respective diodes in their high impedance direction to an output conductor. A negative voitage on any vertical conductor will provide an output on those output conductors Bl-BS to which it is connected by diodes.

Since the vertical conductors A-Z are connected at their lower ends through resistors R14 to a negative voltage, to obtain a negative voltage output, the input signals must be negative voltages. For example, an input space code indicative of the lettcr A is inserted in the translator by applying negative voltage pulses to input conductors 12 and 1. This provides a negaive voltage on output conductor B1 indicative of binary code l. In the binary output code, l is indicated by a negative voltage and O is indicated by ground potential. Thus, the aforementioned input code indicative of the letter A provides a binary output code 1. This binary output code is indicated by a negative voltage on output conductor B1 and ground potential on output conductors B12-B5.

Both input conductors in accordance with an input code must have a negative voltage to atiord an output from the translator. In the aforementioned example, it will be apparent that if input conductor 12 has a negative voltage and input conductor 1 is at ground potential, output conductor Bi wil! have ground potential, that is, no output signal. It is only when a proper input code is applied that a binary output code is obtained.

The binary output codes appearing on conductors B1-BS in sequence represent the ve letters of the name code read from the rst five columns of the punched card.

Translator 26 is provided with another output shown at the right-hand side thereof for providing. in se uence, the three digits of a three-digit numerical pocket code read from columns 6, 7 and 8 ofthe punched card. The translator changes the decimal space code into a 4-bit binary coded decimal pocket code. To this end, the translator is provided with four output conductors BCDI, BCDZ, BCD4 and BCDS indicative of binary coded decimal (BCD) bits l, 2, 4 and 8. Output conductors BCDI- B-CDS arc connected through groups of diodes in their forward, low impedance direction to input conductors 0 through 9 to provide four OR logic circuits. Output conductor BCDI is connected through respective diodes to input conductors 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 as a rst OR circuit. Output conductor BCD2 is connected through respective diodcs to input conductors 2, 3, 6 and 7 as a second OR circuit. Output conductor BCD4 is connected through 

1. IN A SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AN ARTICLE SORTING MACHINE OF THE TYPE WHICH FEEDS ARTICLES ONE AT A TIME FROM A SUPPLY PAST A READING STATION INTO THE SORTING MACHINE FOR TRAVEL PAST A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE GATES; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: INFORMATION MEMORY MEANS HAVING STORED THEREIN ARTICLE DESTINATION CODES IDENTIFYING SORTER DISCHARGE GATES AND CORRESPONDING TO NAME CODES OF RECIPIENTS OF THE ARTICLES; A CODE REGISTER AND MEANS OPERABLE FOR INSERTING IN SAID REGISTER IN THE SYSTEM NAME CODES FROM ARTICLES PASSING BY THE READING STATION, SAID NAME CODES COMPRISING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE IDENTIFICATION DATA OF INTENDED RECIPIENTS THEREOF APPEARING ON THE ARTICLES; MEANS FOR EXTRACTING FROM SAID MEMORY MEANS THE ARTICLE DESTINATION CODE CORRESPONDING TO EACH REGISTERED NAME CODE; AND MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING THE ARTICLE DESTINATION CODE TO CONTROL THE SORTING MACHINE AT THE SAME TIME AS THE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE IS FED INTO THE SORTING MACHINE. 